Saturday’s hurl-off was well organized and carried out without a hitch. Onlookers were treated to an awesome demonstration of power as they watched pumpkins fly over 4,000 feet into Great Salt Bay. Hard hats off to the American Chunker team for demonstrating that they have quickly come of age by out-shooting a 3-time World Champion. While we were hoping for a different outcome, we appreciate that the only good preparation for competition is competition, and we’ll both be better prepared for the World Championships next month thanks to the hurl-off.

On Sunday, the Big 10 Inch took aim at a Ford Ranger and set a personal best – we successfully targeted the vehicle 21 times! The crowd of thousands was willing and eager to help – 15 families decided they wanted to take a crack at the Ranger. The joy expressed on a child’s face after blowing a 10 pound pumpkin through a car door is second to none.

We’re happy to report that we had a blast blasting the skies with American Chunker on Saturday and demolishing a hapless Ford Ranger on Sunday–we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We hope that the only negative impact of our boisterous behavior was to seriously reduce the Ranger’s re-sale value.

We’re looking forward to doing it again next year. To show that we’re non-discriminatory, we suggest a Chevy panel truck.

Thanks again,
Ralph Eschborn
Captain
The Big 10 Inch

2011 Fun Run participants. (Janine Parziale photo)

Prizes at this year’s Pumpkinfest Fun Run were presented to the fastest male and female and the dirtiest (Tyrone Potter), and ribbons presented to first, second and third places in age categories. Erik Phelan was the overall winner and Andrea Giddings the first female finisher in the first Pumpkinfest Fun Run and obstacle course.

Results, in order of finish are: 1. Erik Phelan, 8:44; 2. Mark Wallace, 8:52; 3. Josh Crabirce, 9:39; 4. Andrea Giddings, 9:42; 5. William Randolph, 10:06; 6. Jen Mason, 10:15; 7. Carolyn Griffiths, 10:47; 8. Hallie Herz, 10:51; 9. Lauren Duncan, 10:52; 10. Kate Adair, 10:52.2; 11. Josh Jacobs, 11:05; 12. Hannah Basham, 11:15; 13. Tyrone Potter, 13:29; and 14. Krista Potter, 13:31.

Congratulations everyone!

Peter Geiger approaching finish line to win 2011 paddleboat division

PADDLEBOAT DIVISION WINNER: Peter Geiger, Editor-in-Chief, Farmers’ Almanac
Peter built his own boat, the “Moby Dick”, and trucked it down from Lewiston, Maine. He has been in 7 Regattas from Maine to Nova Scotia, and has competed in our Regatta since the beginning. He was also last year’s winner.

Christian Rioux enjoying a post-victory lap with his dog after winning the motorboat division of the Regatta

MOTORIZED DIVISION WINNER: Christian Rioux
This was Chris’ first Regatta, and he beat out last years winner, Topher Mallory (below), by a “stem”… Chris build his own boat – the “Silver Bullet” – powered by a 15hp motor. (He wanted to mount 2, but we had to draw the line somewhere…) A Brunswick Maine resident, he is a Merchant Marine and currently works for a Towing company in the Gulf of Mexico.

Topher Mallory receiving his trophy after his victory in first pumpkinboat water polo match

PUMPKIN POLO WINNER: Topher Mallory, CEO, Mexicali blues
This was Topher’s second Regatta, having won last year’s Motorboat division. He built his boat, the “Mexicali Blues Ship of Fools”, in an off-site location, in a complete and total veil of secrecy, so as not to reveal any of his pumpkin-boat-building secrets with the competition. His 9.9hp motor was overpowered by Chris’s 15hp this year… When asked why he does this, he replied “What’s not to love about finishing up boating season in a pumpkin with a 2-cycle motor strapped to your back?” Topher loves extreme sports, and is anxious to pilot the first jet-propelled pumpkin boat!

NOTE ABOUT THE POLO EVENT: This is new this year, where 4 motorboats armed with smelt nets, have to fish out 4 balls from a center ring and deposit them in 4 outer rings. First one to do so, wins!